Machine for making fiber containers



Feb. 5, 1946. H. J. PAYNTER 2,394,007

MACHINE FOR MAKING FIBER CONTAINERS Original Filed Dec. 29, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 n I; V TOR. WM 2 Z jMW A TToeNEKS Feb. 5, 1946. J. ER 2,394,007

MACHINE FOR MAKING FIBER CONTAINERS Original Filed Dec. 29, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 TO SOURCE OF VACUUM A TTOENEYS Feb. 5, 1946. H. J. PAYNTER MACHINE FOR MAKING FIBER CONTAINERS Original Filed Dec. 29, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 null/ A T TO ENE Y5 Feb. 5, 194.6. H. .1. PAYNTER MACHINE FOR MAKING FIBER CONTAINERS Original Filed Dec. 29, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVfg ATTOEN Patented Feb. 1946 MACHINE FOR MAKING FIBER CONTAINERS Horace J. Paynter, Union, N. 1., a'ssignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Original application December 29, 1938, Serial No.

248,338. Divided and this application December 20, 1941, Serial No. 423,829

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to a machine for making fiber container or can bodies and has particular reference to devices for feeding prepared blanks to transfer elements for advancement through the machine. This is a division of my application Serial Number 248,338, filed December 29, 1938, on Machine for making fiber containers, now Patent No. 2,292,402, issued August 12, 1942.

An object of the invention is the provision in a fiber can body making machine of blank feeding devices wherein individual fiber blanks are fed from the bottom of a magazine so that the magazine may be kept filled from the top, the feeding devices operating to hold the blank next above the lowermost blank in place within the" magazine while the lowermost blank is being withdrawn so that only one blank will be fed at a time.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings: I

Figure 1 is a side view of a portion of a fiber can body making machine embodying the instant invention, with parts broken away and parts shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a plan view taken substantially along planes indicated by the broken line 2-2 in Fig. l, with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the blank feeding device of the machine, with parts broken away;

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary sectional details taken substantially along the lines 5-5 and 6-6 in Fig. 4; i I Fig. 7 is a vertical section through the center of the devices shown in Fig. 1 as viewed toward the right, with parts broken away;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional detail of a valve unit used in the machine;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 9-9 in Fig. 7, with parts broken away; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 6 and showing additional parts together with the same movable parts in a different position.

As a preferred embodiment of the instant invention the drawings illustrate the blank feeding devices of the machine disclosed in my original application, in which prepared rectangular, fiber can body blanks a are wound into cylindrical can bodies of laminated character.

In such a machine a stack of the blanks a is supported in a magazine A (Fig. 1) from which they are individually withdrawn by a feeding device B, the blanks being fed from the bottomof the stack. A fed blank is immediately brought into engagement with a transfer unit 0 which carries the blank forward and transfers it to a winding mechanism E (Fig. 9).

In the winding mechanism E one end of the blank is caught by one of a plurality of rotating spindles or mandrels and is wound tightly around the spindle while pressure is exerted on the out side of the blank. Dried adhesive carried on the blank is moistened during its passage through the machine and this adhesive holds the wound body together. The instant invention relates only to the feeding of the blanks from the magazine A onto the transfer unit C.

The blank magazine A is located on top of the machine in an inclined position and includes a pair of spaced magazine side frames 5| (Figs. 1, 4, '7 and 10) which are bolted to a pair of main machine side frames 52. The magazine side frames 5| are provided with vertically disposed guide rods 54 which retain the blanks in a stack one ontop of the other. The blanks are mainly supported on a plurality of rollers 55 which are mounted on cross rods 56 carried in the magazine side frames. These rollers are arranged to retain the blanks in an inclined position so that they may be more readily withdrawn from the stack.

Adjacent the forward end of the magazine the blanks overhang the foremost supporting roller 55 and engage endwise against a stop plate 51 which is carried on arms 58 connecting with the forward guide rods 54. This stop plate prevents shifting of the blanks while they are in the magazine. At the rear or elevated end of the magazine the blanks rest on a cross plate 59 (Fig. 10), the ends of the blanks overhanging the plate. This plate is bolted to the magazine side frames 5|.

Feeding of the blanks a from the magazine A is performed preferably by suction cups which are associated with thefeeding device B, the device being located directly under the magazine. In this feeding operation provision is made for holding the remainder of the stack while the lowermost blank is withdrawn, the rear end of the lowermost blank first being drawn down over and below the rear and of the support plate 59, as shown in Fig. 6.

Drawing down of the rear end of the lowertends beyond the side frame and carries an arm 65. The arm 65 is connected by a link 66' to a second arm 61 which is formed on a sleeve 68 loosely mounted on 'a cross shaft 68. The cross shaft is carried in bearings 1I formed in the magazine side frame and in a bearing 12 formed in a cam housing 13 secured to a side .of one of the magazine side frames. 4

Sleeve 68 is provided with an arm 15 which carries a cam roller 16. The cam roller operates in a cam groove 11 formed in the inner face of a cam 18 mounted on a short. shaft 18 journaled in bearings 8| formed in the cam housing 13. The outer end of the shaft projects beyond the housing and carries a sprocket 84 which is driven by a chain 85.

Chain 85 in turn-takes over a driving sprocket 86 (see also Fig. 7) bolted onto a hub extension 81 of a drum gear 88 carried on one end of a hollow drum shaft 88. Thisshaft is journaled in bearings 8I formed in the main side frames 52. The drum gear 88 is continuously rotated in any suitable manner preferably as disclosed in my original application.

Rotation of the drum shaft 88 and the cam shaft 18 rotates the cam 18 in time with the other moving parts of the machine. -The rotation of the cam rocks the sleeve 68 and the suction head block 62 connected therewith. Thus the suction cups 6I are rotated upwardly into engagement with the rear end of the lowermost blank in the magazine as an incident to feeding a blank.

A vacuum is drawn on the suction cups 6| when in thi engaged position and the blank so ena ed adheres to the cups. The pivoted block 62 is provided with channels III (Fi 4) which connect into each suction cup 6I. A manifold end of the channels extends through one of the projecting trunnions 63 where it open into a similar channel I I2 formed in the hub of thev block actuating arm 65. The outer end of this channel II2 communicates with a flexible tube I I3. 1

One end of the tube H3 is secured in the hub of the arm 65 while its opposite end is fastened into a valve cage I I4 (Fig. 5) which is bolted onto the cam housing 13. The valve cage houses a valve II5 (see also Fig. 8) which is threaded tightly into a tapered bore 6 formed in the cage. The interior of the valve is hollowed out to provide a cylinder II1 which is open at one end, the lower end as viewed in Fig. 5. This end of the cylinder communicates with an atmosphere port II8 which is formed in the valve cage H4 and which leads to the outside atmosphere.

The side wall of the valve H5 is Provided with radial intake ports I2I (Fig. 8) which communicate with the valve cylinder H1 and which lead outwardly into an annular groove I22 out in the outside surface of the valve. Communication between this groove and the valve cage end of the flexible tube H3 is provided by a. bore I23 which is formed in the cage.

The valve also is provided with radial outlet ports I25 which extend from the valve cylinder I I1 into a second annular groove I26 formed in the outer peripheral surface of the valve. Grooves I22 and I26 are cut ofl. entirely from communication with each other by the metal to metal contact of the outside surface of the valve with the surface of the cage around the tapered bore "-6. However, the groove I26 communicates with an exhaust bore I28 which is formed in the valve cage and which connects with a pipe I28 threaded into the case. This pipe I28 leads to any suitable source of vacuum.

Control of the vacuum through the valve H5 is governed by a piston I32 (Fig. 8) which slides in the valve cylinder II1. The piston is carried on the inner end of a stem I33 which extends up through a bearing I34 formed in the upper end of the valve, as viewed in Fig. 5. The outer end of the stem is connected by a link I36 to a bell crank lever I31 loosely mounted on a pin I38 secured in a boss I38 formed in the cam housing 13 (see Fig. 4). The bell crank lever is provided with twoarms I4I, I42 which respectively carry at their outer ends cam rollers I43, I44. Cam roller I43 operates on a narrow edge cam 146 while roller I44 operates on a similar cam I41. These cams are formed on a sleeve I48 mounted on and rotated by the cam shaft 18.

Thus as the cam shaft 18 revolves the cams I46, I41 they in turn rockthe bell crank lever I31 in unison with the other moving parts of the machine and hence reciprocate the valve piston I32 within its cylinder H1 in the cycle desired. Rocking of the bell crank lever first moves the piston into a position between the intake ports I2I and the atmosphere port II8. Thus direct communication is established between the source of vacuum and the suction cups 6|.

A vacuum is drawn on the suction cups by way of the block channels III, block actuating arm channel II2, tube II3, valve cage bore I23, valve groove I22, intake ports I2I, valve cylinder II1, outlet ports I25, valve groove I26, exhaust bore I28, and pipe I28. It is this vacuum that draws I down the rear end of the lowermost blank a in the magazine when the cups move from the raised position of Fig. 10 into that of Fig. 6, as when the cup block 62 rocks.

At the proper time, as will be explained in due 4 course, the cups will be released from the blank by breaking of the vacuum. This vacuum release is effected when the valve pistofi I32 is moved in a reverse direction by the cooperating cams I46, I41 and the bell crank I31. Reverse movement of the piston brings it into a position between the valve intake ports I2I and the outlet ports I25. This cuts off communication between the suction cups 6| and the source of vacuum.

At the same time there is established communication between the cups and the atmosphere port II8. Outside air rushes into the bores, tube and channels and into the suction cups and this breaks the vacuum and releases the blank from the cups at the proper time.

Positive holding of the blank next above the lowermost blank a while the latter is held by the suction cups 6I preferably is efiected by a series of three vacuum cups I5I (Figs. 4, 6 and 10) These vacuum cups are mounted on a movable cross beam I52 having cam rollers I53 secured to each end thereof. The cam rollers operate within grooves I54 of stationary cams I55 formed as a part of the magazine side frames 5|.

The beam I52 is secured to the outer ends of a pair of spaced arms I51 which are carried on the cross shaft 68. The cross shaft also carries a cam arm I58 (Fig. 4) having a cam roller I58 which operates within a groove I 6I formed'in the outer face of the cam 18 mounted on the cam shaft 18.

Thus as the cross shaft 68 oscillates, the cross beam I52 is raised and lowered and its vacuum cups I I move toward and away from the stack of blanks in the magazine. On the upward stroke of the cross beam the stationary cams I56 guide the cups past the turned down rear end of the held lowermost blank and further guide the cups into engagement with the-blank next above. It

- is at this time of engagement that the suctioncups 6| release their, hold on the turned down]- end of the lowermost blank and leave it free for withdrawal.

To get the proper vacuum control, the vacuum cups I5I are brought into communication'with a source of .vacuum. For this purpose each vacuum cup I5I is connected by a tube I63 into the valve cage H4 and these join and communicate with a valve which is identical in construction to the valve II5 just explained. This valve is located adjacent the valve H5 and is operated in a similar manner by a bell crank I65 (Fig. 4) mounted on the same pin I38 adjacent the bell crank lever I31. Bell crank I65 carries cam rollers which operate on a pair of adjacent edge cams I66, I61 .also formed on the cam sleeve I48.

Withdrawal of the lowermost blank a from the magazine while the blank next above is held stationary is brought about by a single feed cup "I (Figs. 1, 2, '1 and 10) which is located directly under the forward ends of the blanks in the magazine. In this location the feed cup is disposed between but is slightly above a pair of feed drum wheels I68, I69 carried on the drum shaft 89 and associated'with the transfer unit C.

Feed cup I1I carried on the free end of a substantially horizontal moveable arm I12 which is a part of a parallelogram system of links (Figs. 1 and 2) arranged to guide the cup along a curved path of travel when the links are moved. The cup arm is supported on three inclined movable links I13, I14, I which are included in the parallelogram system. Links I13, I14 are mounted alongside each other, one on each side of the arm intermediate its length. The upper ends of these links are pivotally connected to the arm by a pivot pin I16. The upper end of the link I15 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin I11 to the outer end of the arm.

To complete the parallelogram system of links, the lower ends of links I13, I14 are mounted on a 1. lot pin I 18 carried in two spaced stationary support arms I19 one of which is straight, the other curved. These arms are formed integrally with a half block I8I which is formed with a V-groove and which is clamped by a half cap I82 around a locking portion I83 of a stationary bar I64. The ends of the bar are secured in the outside frame 52. The lower end of link I15 is fastened by a pivot pin I86 to the outer end of an arm I81 which is carried on the pivot pin I18 adjacent the outer stationary arm I19.

Thus the arms and links are all tied together in a parallel system and are moved along con trolled paths of travel in order to shift the suction cup I1I in a cbntrolled path as will now be explained. Link I15 and its arm I81 are rocked independently of the parallel arms I13, I14. For this purpose arm I81 is provided with a leg I88 which carries a cam roller I89. The roller 0D- erates in a cam groove I9I (see also Fig. '1) of a face cam I92 formed as a part of the feed drum wheel I 68. Rotation of the drum wheel I68 and its cam I92 rocks the arm I81, link I15, and the feed cup arm I12 and moves the feed cup I1I vertically.

The horizontal movement of the feed cup "I is effected by cam action through the medium of a cam roller I66 (Figs. 1 and 2) which is carried on a lug extension I66 of the link I14. The cam roller operates in a cam groove I91 (see Figs. '7 and 9) of a face cam I98 formed as a part of the feed drum wheel I69. Rotation of the cam rocks the links I18, I14 and thus shifts the feed cuparni I12 movingthe feedcup HIV in its horizontal'direction. 1 Q v The combination sequence of these vertical and horizontal movements first shifts the feed cup "I vertically into engagement with the forward end of the lowermost blank a in the magazine. A vacuum is drawn on the cup at that time. The feed cup then moves downwardly and forwardly in a curved path of travel'in time with the rotation of the feed drum wheels and corresponding somewhat to the surface of the drums.

The result of this movement is to partially withdraw the blank 0 from the magazine and to bring the forward end of the blank down into engagement with the periphery of the two spaced and parallel feed drum wheels I68, I69 of the transfer unit 0. The feed cup then releases the blank as the vacuum is broken. The feed cup returns to its original raised position ready to transfer the next succeeding blank but not until the partially withdrawn lowermost blank has been entirely removed from the magazine.

The vacuum control on the feed cup "I is effected through a valve 2 (Fig. 1) which is identical in construction with the other valves II5 (Fig. 8) hereinbefore described. This valve 2 is housed in a valve casing 2I2 bolted onto a bracket 2I3 (see also Fig. 3) which is secured to one of the support arms I19.

The vacuum supply connection with the valve 2 is made by a flexible tube 2I5 having one end connected to the feed cup arm I1 2, the other end being secured in the valve cage 2I2 where its interior communicates with a short passageway 2I6 formed in the cage which leads to the narrow groove of the valve. The feed arm I12 has a passageway 2 I 1 which connects the flexible tube to the feed cup IN.

A vacuum supply pipe 2I8 is threaded into the valve cage, and its interior communicates with a passageway 2I9 formed in the cage which leads to the wide groove of the valve. An atmosphere port 22I is formed in the valve cage for letting air into the feed cup to break the vacuum.

The movable piston of the valve 2 is actuated by a stem 225 which is connected by a link 226 to the lower endpf a vertically disposed lever 221. The lever is mounted on a pivot pin 228 carried in a bracket 229 formed on the valve cage 2I2. The upper end of the lever carries a cam roller 232 which operates in a cam groove 233 out in one face of a cam 234 mounted on the drum shaft 89 adjacent the drum wheel I68 (see also Fig. 7). This provides cam actuation for the valve.

When the forward end of a blank a partially removed from the magazine is brought into engagement with the outer surface of the feed drum wheels I68, I69 of the transfer unit C it is held there by suction cups MI, 242 (Figs. '7 and 9) which are provided in the drum wheels. Hence the moving wheels withdraw the blank completely from the magazine.

The drum wheels are preferably of sufficient diameter to accommodate on their circumferences two blanks in end to end relation with a working space between them. Greater speed of production is thus possible since one blank is being' worked on while another succeeding blank is being positioned on the drum wheels in readiness for working.

The suction cups 2, 242 hold the received blanks a in place on the drum wheels while the latter rotate and carry them forward toward the winding mechanism E (Fig. 9). The winding mechanism is located adjacent the transfer drum wheels and includes a larger drum cylinder 245 which is rotatable on a horizontal axis. The drum cylinder carries a plurality of winding units 246 (only one of which is shown in the drawings) These units each include a rotating winding spindle or mandrel l and a pair of yieldably mounted rotating pressure rollers 252, 253 disposed adjacent the spindle. An entrance guide rail 255 is disposed adjacent the spindle and auxiliary guide rails 256, 251 adjacent the pressure rollers guide the blank around the spindle. identical .with those described and explained in my original application.

The drum cylinder 245 is rotated in time with the transfer drum wheels I58, I69 to bring a winding unit 246 into position adjacent the leading edge of a blank a on the drum wheels. When the winding unit comes adjacent the drum wheels, the suction cups 2, or 242 as the case may be, successively release their hold on the blank 0. to permit the blank to be transferred to the winding unit spindle 2!.

As the first of the cups release the leading edge of the blank, this edge is caught by the entrance guide rail 255 and is directed around the winding spindle 25L The pressure rollers 252, 253 press the blank against the spindle while the guide rails 256, 251 guide the blank around the spindle. As the blank thus is wound on the spindle the remaining suction cups release the blank from the transfer drum wheels and in this manner the blank is wound into a laminated can body. After winding, the finished can body may be discharged from the spindle in any suitable manner, such as that disclosed in my original application. This completes the forming of the I can body. I

It is thought that the invention and many (if its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, andit will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. A blank feed for a fiber can body making machine, comprising in combination a magazine for a stack of fiber blanks, suction cups for pulling down the rear end of the lowermost blank in the magazine, vacuum cups movable past said pulled down end of the lowermostblank for engaging and holding against displacement the rear end of the blank next above the lowermost blank in the magazine, and a suction feed cup adjacent the front end of the lowermost blank for withdrawing it from the magazine while the blank next above is held therein, and means for drawing vacuum on said cups and for releasing it at the proper time to eifect continuous successive feeding of individual blanks from the magazine.

2. A blank feed for a fiber can body making machine, comprising in combination a magazine for a stack of fiber blanks, a block pivotally mounted adjacent the rear end of the lowermost Actuation of these winding unit parts is blank in said magazine, a plurality of suction cups mounted on said block, means for actuating said block torock said suction cups toward and away from said lowermost blank for pulling its rear nd down into a position at an angle to the blank next above, a cross-beam adjacent said block, a plurality of vacuum cups located on said cross-beam, means for moving said crossbeam vertically past the pulled down end of the lowermostblank to bring the vacuum cups-into holding engagement with the blank next above, a suction feed cup adjacent the front end of the lowermost blank for withdrawing it from the magazine while the blank next above is held therein, and means for drawing vacuum on said cups and ,for releasing the blank at the proper time to effect continuous successive feeding of individual blanks from the magazine.

3. A sheet blank feed for a can body making machine, comprising in combination, a magazine fo holding a stack of sheet blanks, vacuum controlled means for bending down the rear end of the lowermost blank in the magazine, vacuum controlled means for engaging the blank next above said lowermost blank adjacent the downwardly bent end of the latter and for holding the same against displacement, and feeding-means operable against the forward end of the said lowermost blank for withdrawing the ame from said magazin while the blank next above is so held by said vacuum controlled means.

4. The method of feeding can body blanks singly and in succession from the bottom of a stack, comprising the steps of first gripping by suction and bending downwardly the rear end of the lowermost sheet in the stack, then gripping by suction the sheet next above said lowermost sheet along its rear end exposed by said bending operation of the lowermost sheet to hold said sheet next above against displacement, releasing the suction grip on the rear end of the lowermost sheet, and thereafter gripping by suction the forward end of said lowermost sheet in the stack to withdrawthe-same therefrom while retaining said holding suction grip on the rear end of the sheet next above the lowermost sheet being withdrawn from said stack.

5. In a fiber can body making machine, the combination of a magazine for holding a stack.

K of fiber blanks, a transfer mechanism adjacent said magazine and at a lower level than said magazine for advancing fed blanks along a predetermined path of travel, suction feeding means disposed between said magazine and said transfer mechanism and operable against one end of the lowermost blank in the magazine, linkage means for actuating said feeding means in a combined vertical and horizontal movement for withdrawing a blank from said magazine and for carrying its leading edge forward along a curved path of travel into position on said transfe mechanism,

the delivery end of said path being substantially tangential to the path of said transfer mechanism, and means movable in timed relation to the movement of said suction feeding means for engaging and holding against displacement the opposite end of the blank next above the lowert'ermined path of travel, suction blank feedin means operable upon one end of the lowermost blank in said magazine and disposed between said magazine and said transfer mechanism, a parallelogram system of links on which said suction feeding means are located, and cam means for shifting said links to eiiect a combined vertical and horizontal movement of said feeding element for withdrawing a blank from said magazine and for carrying it forward along a predetermined path of travel into position onto said transfer mechanism.

"I. In a fiber can body making machine, the combination of a magazine for holding a stack of fiber body blanks, a constantly moving blank transfer mechanism disposed adjacent said magazine, a blank feeding element disposed intermediate said magazine and transfer mechanism and operable against one end of the lowermost sheet in the magazine, said transfer mechanism beingadapted to grip the leading'margin of a blank,

means ,for actuating said feeding element with accelerating movement along a predetermined arcuate path whereby the leading edge of a blank is delivered by said feeding element to said constantly moving transfer mechanism at ubstantially the same linear speed and direction of motion of the latter, and means movable in timed relation to the movement or said suction feeding means for engaging and holding against displacement the opposite end of the blank next 

